Is CM Trading a Scam or Legit?

Not a Scam

CM Trading holds a valid FSCA licence. The number is public and verifiable.

CM Trading is regulated under FSCA licence 38782, issued to Global Capital Pty Ltd. This licence appears in the FSCA public register. CM Trading has been operating since 2012 — 14 years. Scam operations do not maintain long-term regulated status.

The FSCA registration

RegulatorFSCA
Licence number38782 ✓
Registered entityGlobal Capital Pty Ltd
StatusAuthorised
Registerbrokerforexreviews.com
Years regulated14+

What FSCA regulation means for you

FSCA-regulated brokers must meet conduct and capital requirements set by the regulator. Client funds must be held separately from company funds.

All regulatory licences

CM Trading holds 2 regulatory licences across different jurisdictions. The entity that applies to your account depends on your country of residence.

RegulatorLicenceEntityMax leverage
FSCA38782Global Capital Pty Ltd1:400 max
FSASD053CM Trading Ltd1:500 max

How to verify CM Trading yourself

Go to brokerforexreviews.com. Enter the licence number 38782 or search by entity name Global Capital Pty Ltd. The result should show the entity name, authorisation status, and the specific regulated activities it is permitted to conduct.

This takes under a minute. If a broker cannot be found on the relevant regulator's register, that is a serious warning sign. All legitimate regulated brokers appear there.

Common complaints and what they mean

Most complaints about CM Trading fall into standard categories: withdrawal processing times, spread widening during news events, and account verification requests. These are normal business practices, not indicators of fraud.

None of these patterns indicate fraud. They are the normal complaints of a commercial brokerage enforcing its terms. Real forex scams operate without any regulatory licence, refuse all withdrawals, and disappear with client funds. That is not the profile of CM Trading.

Red flags that would indicate a real scam

When researching any broker, watch for these genuine warning signs:

  • No licence number listed, or a licence that cannot be found on the official register
  • Pressure to deposit more money to unlock withdrawals
  • Promises of guaranteed returns or "risk-free" trading
  • Platform that only shows profits, never losses
  • No physical address or contact information
  • Licence from a regulator you have never heard of that has no official website

None of these apply to CM Trading. Its FSCA licence 38782 is publicly verifiable, it has disclosed offices in Johannesburg, South Africa, and it has operated continuously since 2012.

Frequently asked questions

Is CM Trading safe to deposit money with?

CM Trading is FSCA-regulated and client funds are held in segregated accounts. Client funds are held separately from company funds as required by the regulator. This does not eliminate trading risk, but it protects funds from broker insolvency.

Why do people ask if CM Trading is a scam?

Most forex scam searches come from traders who lost money trading. CFD trading is high-risk — 74% of CM Trading retail clients lose money. Losing money on a legitimate platform does not make it a scam. Scams refuse all withdrawals and disappear. CM Trading has processed billions in withdrawals over 14 years of operation.

Is CM Trading regulated in my country?

CM Trading holds licences covering 39 countries across 2 regulatory jurisdictions. The entity serving your account depends on your country. Check the full licence table above to find which entity applies to your region.

What happens to my money if CM Trading goes bankrupt?

FSCA-regulated brokers must hold client funds in segregated bank accounts entirely separate from company operating funds. This means your deposits cannot be used to pay the broker's business creditors if it becomes insolvent.

74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with CM Trading. Regulation does not eliminate trading risk. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.